PREACHING PROPHETIC PASSAGES: ITS NECESSITY AND URGENCY

Preachers may tend to avoid preaching about prophecy due to its difficulty and potential for controversy. Yet, Scripture itself calls us to preaching prophetic passages as a necessity and with urgency. 

Concerning the coming of Christ and the consummation of the age there are often three major views: 

1) Premillennialism—that says Christ will return and then set up a thousand year reign on earth;

2) Postmillennialism—that says the church will win the world to Christ and then He will return and receive His kingdom;

3) Amillennialism—that says the prophetic passages are symbolic and Christ will return with a general resurrection and judgment bringing the eternal state. 

Someone has suggested a fourth—panmillennialism: it will all “pan” out in the end!  I would say that is the worst of the views. It is a wish-washy approach to the significant number of prophetic passages that demand to be preached. Peter would have forcefully confronted such thinking. One third of his second epistle is devoted to the subject, and brings the climax of all the Apostle wanted to say to us. 

Preaching prophetic passages is A CALL TO REMEMBRANCE, (2 Pet. 3:1-7). The old fisherman speaks to this purpose when he says, “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,” (v. 1‬-‭2‬‬).  We dare not forget that Christ is coming!  That fact will compel us to live for eternity and with urgency. Sure, there will be “scoffers,” (v. 3-4) who “willfully forget” how God judged the world in Noah’s day, (v. 5-7). Jesus said that the end of the age would be marked by a return to such corruption and chaos with condemnation to come. “But, as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be,” (Matt. 24:37). Our Lord warned against the complacency where people go on their lives as though there is not a day of reckoning.  

“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt.‬ ‭24‬:‭38‬-‭44‬‬).

God forbid that preachers fail to call people to remembrance! That is spiritual malpractice!

Further, preaching prophetic passages is A CALL TO REPENTANCE, (2 Pet. 3:8-9). The certainty and gravity of judgment on this world should compel us to preach with urgency and fervency. It is not for us to try to set dates. Jesus said that none would know the day or hour of His return—a time appointed by His Sovereign Father. As an eternal Being, God’s calendar is not the same as mortal man’s. We think a thousand years is a long span of time, whereas God considers it as a mere fleeting day. We do not know the precise time Christ will return, but we do know that time is imminent, and could be today. Every man of God must realize that his next sermon could be his final one!  It could also be the last one the congregation will hear. The clarion call to come to Christ in repentance must be issued.

I think of Ezekiel—appointed as a watchman on the wall—to sound a warning of judgment to come. The sobering words to the spiritual sentry is that failure to do so means that judgment falls, but to the man who does not alert the people, God says, “his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand,” (Ezek. 33:6b). We cannot make people repent, but we must call them to repentance!

Then, we preach prophetic passages as A CALL TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, (1 Pet. 3:10-18). Prophetic preaching is a call to sinners to repent, but also a call to saints for righteousness.  

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Pet.‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭13‬‬).

Since God is going to purge the earth of sin and establish an eternal kingdom where “righteousness dwells,” then we, as His people, are to begin to prepare for it, “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,” (v. 11). Indeed, in a proper response to that day of destiny, by looking forward to it, we can be “hastening the coming of the day of God,” (v. 12). Now, we do not speed things up from God’s perspective, but from man’s. How? In this sense—God knows who the final soul is that will be won to faith to complete the Bride of Christ. When that one is won then the Bridegroom will return to claim His Bride who has made herself ready for Him!  Is it not amazing that the next person you lead to Christ could be that one? This should spur us on in soul-winning!

Perhaps you have heard the expression, “they are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.”  The truth is that those who are most properly heavenly minded do the most earthy good!  Peter ends his writing by calling us to be “looking forward to these things,” that we may “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”  

Preaching prophetic passages is immensely practical:

“and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Pet.‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭18‬‬)

MYSTERIES REVEALED: The Next Big Thing

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

What is the next big thing to watch out for that would herald the coming of Christ for His church?  Are there prophecies to be fulfilled?  Are there signs to watch for?

No. Zip, zero, zilch. From the first century to the twenty first century, there has never been a generation that could not expect to see Jesus coming in the clouds for them.

The next big thing is the rapture of the church.  While, it is fascinating to see developments rapidly falling into place, which intensify my belief that very soon we will hear the trumpet call, the reality is Jesus could appear before I finish typing this post, or before you finish reading it.  What if it were today?  That is how we ought to live.

Paul speaks here of the rapture of the church.  While the term is not found in the Bible, the teaching certainly is.  The word comes from the Latin expression for being “caught up.”

Paul tells us to comfort one another with these words.  It is comforting in knowing we will again see our loved ones who died in faith.  They will rise first and we will be “together with them.”  It is comforting to know that living saints will be transformed, set free from the sin, suffering, and sorrow of this world.  It is comforting to know that before God pours out His wrath on a Christ rejecting world during the seven years of tribulation, that Jesus will remove His bride, the church.

MYSTERIES REVEALED: Words to the Wise

Read Matthew 25.

I had a school teacher, who would tell you what to study for the test, and when the test would be, then close with this warning, “A word to the wise should be sufficient.”  Then would come the time of the test and the results revealed some were wise and some were foolish.

We may debate the details of prophecy. Among Bible preachers and seminary professors, you will find differing schools of thought.  But, one thing all who believe the Word of God will agree on is the purpose of prophetic truth being presented in Scripture—to be ready for Jesus is coming.

To that end, Jesus concludes His great prophetic discourse in Matthew 24-25 with three descriptions of the end times as a wedding (25:1-13), a stewardship (25:14-30), and a judgment (25:31-46).  In each the point is the same—make preparation.

There is much to be learned in the study of prophecy. We ought not neglect it because some texts are intricate and difficult.  We need not become frustrated at the many differing viewpoints we will see presented.  It is a major portion of Scripture and you will have to avoid much of the Bible, if you skip the prophetic passages.

Ultimately, remember this—it isn’t about gaining information, though much can be learned. It is not about inspiration—although the hope we have of a world set right one day is thrilling. The bottom line is that the return of Christ is about preparation—being ready.

A word to the wise should be sufficient.

MYSTERIES REVEALED: When and What

Read Matthew 24.

As Jesus pointed to the massive Temple and declared its destruction, the disciples immediately thought such a catastrophe must signal the end of the age.  They were not thinking of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, with this interlude that has already lasted 2000 years and the return of Christ.  They held out the hope that the Messianic Kingdom was going to be established now, and thought this must herald it—so they sought an answer.

Remember, in reading this, that the church is not in view here.  Christ’s church will be built on His finished work of His crucifixion and resurrection and birthed after His ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  This was a mystery—a hidden truth, that these twelve knew nothing about at the time.  The mystery awaited its explanation in the epistles and Revelation.  The content of Matthew 24 and 25 is, therefore, Jewish in focus, and the church is not mentioned.

The signs of the end of the age, mark all the “last days,” which began with Christ’s work on Calvary.  If you read Revelation 6 for instance and compare it with Matthew 24, you will find a synthesis of these signs that happen with the opening of the seven seals.

Some will argue, “Haven’t false messiahs, wars, famines, disease, earthquakes, and religious persecution, marked the last 2000 years?”  Yes!  But, the key is to note Jesus called these “birth pains,” (the meaning of “sorrows” in v.8). A pregnant woman will feel twinges of pain all during her term, but as the time for birth draws near, the labor pains escalate in frequency and intensity. So, it will be in the last days, until the climactic pain of the Great Tribulation and the birth of the New World with Christ’s return.

SEVEN BOWLS FOR SEVEN JUDGMENTS

 

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”  (Revelation 16:1)

Numbers in Revelation are significant.  You find seven to be prominent—the number of completion.  Following the rapture of the church, a scroll is presented to the Lamb of God who opens seven seals.  Under each seal there is a judgment.  Beneath the seventh seal, there are seven trumpets, and as each trumpet is sounded another judgment falls on a Christ-rejecting world.  The seventh trumpet blast signals the time for seven bowls, filled with the wrath of God to be outpoured, which will be the final plagues upon the populace—seven bowls for seven judgments (Rev.16).

The scene in heaven is solemn, as seven angels are summoned to come and pour out the contents of their bowl.  While it may not be politically correct to speak of God’s wrath, it is theologically correct—and Scripture, rather than popular sensibilities must govern our vocabulary and concepts.  Our world scoffs at this, but one day God says, “Enough!”

• Those who have refused salvation in Christ and instead have pledged allegiance to the Antichrist will suffer from boils from the first of the bowls (v.2).  Imagine the world filled with people writhing in pain from these boils.  The smell of the puss-filled populace will be horrible.
• If we think an oil spill to be an ecological disaster, then what will it be when the oceans become blood (v.3).  The dead creatures of the deep will wash up on crimson-clotted sands, their rotting stench pervading the atmosphere. 
• The fourth angel empties his bowl and the fresh water becomes blood (v.4-7).  Imagine going to a spigot, running a glass of water, and gagging on the taste of blood!  Sinners have been bloodthirsty.  God will give them all they want.
• The sun will scorch the earth (v.8-9).  A previous judgment had obscured the sun, and now the opposite occurs.  People suffering from boils, now are seared by the sun, and they can find no relief to cool their brow or tongue for the water is blood.
• Suddenly, Babylon experiences a blackout (v.10-11).  When we reject the Light, only darkness remains.  These plagues are reminiscent of those found in Exodus.
• The sixth angel’s bowl dries up the Euphrates River allowing a millions of soldiers from the Orient to invade (v.12-16).  The campaign of Armageddon is commencing.  The horrors of war ravage the globe.
• The final bowl is poured out and Babylon—the capital of the Antichrist—the economic and ecclesiastical center of the world is judged (v.17-21).  This judgment is described in detail in the next two chapters of Revelation.

Surely then, people will admit their sin and beg for mercy.  No!  They will curse God (v.9,11,21)!  They refuse to repent—fully reprobate—a rebel heart and a reviling tongue.  If a man or woman in this day of grace can look at the cross and God’s offer of forgiveness and brush it aside, then there only remains judgment for such.

Here is the question we must consider, if we would avoid these plagues:

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?  (Elisha A. Hoffman)

 

ALL THINGS NEW

 

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  (2 Peter 3:13)

I have three vehicles—all of them old and worn out.  Two of them have well over 200,000 miles on the odometer.  It seems I have one of them at the mechanic constantly.  One day, they are going to become nothing but scrap metal to be recycled.  That is the course of all things pertaining to this material universe.  The original creation was made by God—and as God is only capable of doing, it was good.  Then sin came, and with that, the curse of death.  The entire universe is headed that direction.  We see the evidence all about us.

The author of this letter, Simon Peter, knew there was a fixed point beyond which his physical existence would not continue.  Sitting in a prison cell, waiting for martyrdom—old bones aching, skin weathered, eyes dimming, his gnarled fingers moving pen across parchment—he writes of the time when God will make all things new.  He will soon be liberated from the prison his body had become—free from the torture that would end his pilgrimage—as the old fisherman would be crucified upside down.  That is the church tradition concerning his death, anyway—likely accurate.

Our demise and the eventual destruction of all things—the entire fabric of the universe unraveling and incinerated—sounds like something to dread.  Peter, however, is looking forward to it, and calls believers to that same anticipation.  It is not dread, but delight that he feels.  He knows that the end of the old creation is actually a regeneration into new heavens and a new earth—one where righteousness reigns—with sin and death forever terminated.

Egyptian mythology told of the phoenix—a bird that would age, and then would ignite and be consumed in fire.  Out of the ashes, a new phoenix would arise.  That is myth, but it has a grain of truth.  This present world is passing away—one day all that pertains to it will go up in smoke.  Yet, out of the ashes, a new creation will be reborn.

There are those, of course, who will scoff.  I have heard even those claiming to be Christians warn about, “Those who are so heavenly-minded, they are no earthly good.”  I suppose there are those who are immersed in charts and consumed with obscure details of end-time events.  That is fanaticism.  Proper perspective concerning the end of the age is actually a great motivator to evangelism and godly living.  The people we reach we must reach now.  Holy living today readies us for an eternity marked by righteousness.  The prophetic word is a tremendous incentive to make a difference in this world as we look forward to the world to come!

IN TIMES LIKE THESE

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come….  (2 Timothy 3:1)

Our world is hurtling with ever-increasing speed toward judgment.  When people reject the love of God, refuse the Son of God, and resist the Spirit of God, then we have come to the perilous times of which Paul warned.  God declared, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man.”  (Gen.6:3)  Are we on the verge of another cataclysm?

We face THE CERTAINTY OF PERILOUS TIMES (v.1).  The Apostle assures us that dangerous, difficult, and deadly times will come.  We need to wake up!  If these are the last of the last days, with the Lord’s return at hand, He should not find us sleeping.  Alarm bells are going off.  We not only need to wake up—we need to get up!  We cannot afford to hit the snooze button.  There are souls to rescue; there are souls to save!

We find THE CHARACTER OF PERILOUS TIMES (v.2-5).  This sounds like we are reading today’s newspaper. “For  men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money”—being absorbed with egotism and consumed with materialism.  The next trio of words, “boasters, proud, blasphemers,” convey a spirit of self-sufficiency, as people arrogantly assert their autonomy against the Lord God.  This issues in disrespect for all authority as humanity is “disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers….”  At the top of the list is rebellion against parental authority.  If this is not respected, then no other authority will be.  For such, God is either ignored or scorned.  This leads them to be, “without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty,” for apart from God there are no moral absolutes.  The creed becomes, “If it feels good, do it!”  Sinners of the last days are marked as, “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”  They may still have a veneer of religion, but absent saving grace.  Idolatry and immorality are pervasive in these perilous times.

We note THE COURSE OF PERILOUS TIMES (v.6-8).  Inevitably, it leads to the destruction of the home (v.6).  The family is the basic building block of society—and if it crumbles, civilization ceases to be civilized.  Thus, Satan infiltrates the home, establishes a beachhead, and attacks relentlessly.  This is why we have an epidemic of people living together without marriage, homosexuality, rampant divorce, abortion and child abuse—as the Devil is intent on destroying family life.  There is also the deranging of the mind (v.7).  Humanity has made great progress educationally, but regressed ethically!  Furthermore, there is the defiling of the church (v.8).  The men mentioned here were satanic counterfeits who opposed Moses—miracle workers whose power deceived the masses—and we have them today.  Many in the church are following these “Pied Pipers.”

There is, however, THE CLIMAX OF PERILOUS TIMES (v.9).  God has drawn a line in the sands of time.  Evil will proceed so far, but no further.  The inevitable judgment is fixed and final.  The verdict will be pronounced and sentence imposed, with no other appeal to be heard.  In times like these, you need a Savior—for the time will come that He will no longer extend compassion, but exclaim condemnation!  Hear His voice today!